Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Sculptural Space Integrating Recycled Rubber and Acoustic Harmonies in a Natural Setting

Authors:
Pei Gui, Yuting Mu
Sculptural Space Integrating Recycled Rubber and Acoustic Harmonies in a Natural Setting

Project in-detail

Recycled rubber materials and dense felt acoustically enhance a sculptural structure harmonizing with the forest, providing a unique venue for musical performances and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Recycled rubber surfaces enhance durability while minimizing environmental impact.
02
Dense felt insulation optimizes sound quality for performances within the forest.
03
A bent A-frame design fosters visual connection with the surrounding landscape.
04
Incorporation of traditional Latvian instruments encourages engaging musical interactions.
05
Elevated structure preserves forest floor ecology beneath the performance space.

### Project Overview
Located in a forested area of Siness, Latvia, the design emphasizes the relationship between nature and music through the integration of traditional Latvian musical instruments. The intent is to create an immersive environment that fosters interaction among performers, audiences, and the surrounding landscape. The structure serves as both a performance venue and a sculptural element, promoting community engagement and creative exploration within a natural setting.

### Spatial Organization and Acoustic Design
The layout is thoughtfully organized to encourage discovery and interaction. The overall form responds to the existing topography and tree distribution, enhancing the connection between the built environment and nature. A central gathering area facilitates performances, while a sloped courtyard optimizes acoustic projection, allowing for natural sound amplification. Instrument placement is designed to enhance the interplay between performers and audience, supported by seating configurations that augment sound projection.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
Key materials include 140x140 mm wood beams, which provide structural integrity and warmth, alongside dense felt for sound absorption. The use of recycled materials, such as old tire rubber, contributes to the durability of performance areas while demonstrating a commitment to sustainability. Thick sounding strings are utilized within the musical instruments to produce harmonic tones when engaged. Elevated above the ground, the design minimizes ecological disruption, allowing for the preservation and health of the underlying ecosystem while promoting an acoustic dialogue with the surrounding trees.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy